Halloween humor

Fake child Halloween prank


Farm animals enjoy Halloween too






What do you do when 50 zombies surround your house?
Hope it's Halloween...


"When Christianity spread to parts of Europe, instead of trying to abolish these pagan customs, people tried to introduce ideas which reflected a more Christian world-view. Halloween has since become a confusing mixture of traditions and practices from pagan cultures and Christian tradition.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. During their rule of the Celtic lands, Roman festivals were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The Romans observed the holiday of Feralia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed. Participants made sacrifices in honor of the dead, offered up prayers for them, and made oblations to them. Another festival was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

As the influence of Christianity spread into Celtic lands, in the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs, to replace the pagan festival of the dead. It was observed on May 13. In 834, Gregory III moved All Saint's Day from May 13 to Nov. 1 and for Christians, this became an opportunity for remembering before God all the saints who had died and all the dead in the Christian community. Oct. 31 thus became All Hallows' Eve ('hallow' means 'saint').

Sadly, though, many of the customs survived and were blended in with Christianity. Numerous folk customs connected with the pagan observances for the dead have survived to the present.

In 1517, a monk named Martin Luther honored the faithful saints of the past by choosing All Saints Day (November 1) as the day to publicly charge the Church heirarchy with abandoning biblical faith. This became known as "Reformation Day," a fitting celebration of the restoration the same biblical faith held by the saints throughout church history."
(the above information is from: http://www.christianstories.com/stories/seasonal/halloween/blending-of-paganism-with-christianity.shtml)

Some Halloween Trivia

The Wearing Of Masks - "The purpose of wearing a mask in most primitive religious traditions is to make a spiritual connection with the deity or the Nature Spirit represented by the mask. ... The mask would then have a spirit or magickal power of its own .. it seems like the most natural thing, to use masking as a part of the Samhain Sabbat. .. That the practice of masked dancing is still today associated with Samhain, the time when the veil between the living and the spirits of of the dead is very thin, suggests that in some way the masked dancers were trying to contact the spirits of the slain and hunted animals. Though much of this has been lost or temporarily forgotten, there is still much about the traditional costumes worn by children today that tells us Halloween is a celebration of the spirits."

The Jack O Lantern - "The pumpkin, an American vegetable, certainly symbolizes the season; but it is the candle inside the pumpkin that is of magickal importance. The candle flame represents not only the element of Fire, but also the white light of pure spirit. It has become traditional among many Pagans to mark the four quarters of the Samhain Circle with Jack-O-Lanterns, but it might also be in keeping with the season to light one white candle in a Jack-O-Lantern placed in a window or on a front porch as a beacon to the spirits. In Japan, paper lanterns are hung at gardens to welcome home the spirits of the deceased. In Egypt, candles are lit in cemeteries to guide the spirits of the dead back .. and in Ireland candles are lit in cottage windows to welcome home the ghosts of the dead."

Contact With The Dead (Necromancy) - "At this time of year, the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is very thin. As the old Pagan year draws to a close, it is time to receive messages from those who had gone before. Necromancy is technically the raising of the dead for the purpose of learning the future from them. Spirits can contact us directly, conveying messages to us telepathically, or in rare cases, controlling the physical body and the vocal chords. This type of necromancy is the focus of Spiritualism and is believed to come from the deceased. But any message from the spirits is welcome. There is much wisdom to be gained from contact with spirits. These two elements, contact with the spirit world and divining the future, are as much a part of Halloween celebrations today as they were during the earliest shamanic beginnings of the Pagan religion."

Dark Clothing Of Witches - "The black clothing of the Halloween Witch represents not "the powers of darkness," as followers of the new religion would have people believe, but that great luminary of the night, the Moon, in its waning phase. The waning phase of the Moon, of course, represents the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. These three Goddesses preside over life, at the end of which each individual spirit bids farewell to the realm of the Goddess and crosses the threshold into the realm of the Horned God of Death and that which comes thereafter. Samhain represents this threshold separating the dark half of the Wheel of the Year, presided over by the Horned One, from the light half presided over by the Goddess."

"Trick-Or-Treating" - "Trick-or-treating originated in Ireland when on the eve of Samhain, people would go house to house looking for food contributions to Muck Olla. The group was led by a man in a white robe with a horse-head mask. After him walked young men blowing cow horns. They would stop at each house, recite some verses that told the farmer that his prosperity was due to Muck Olla, and if he wishes to prosper he should make a contribution to the spirit. People in costumes and masks went begging from farm to farm, reciting verses that described the damage that spirits would do to a farmer's house or barn if the farmer refused to give something. This is not unlike the American way of trick-or-treating, in which we sometimes recite the verse, 'Trick-or-treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat!' It is assumed that a practical joke will be played on an unwilling neighbor." While the identity of a Celtic deity named "Muck Olla" is in serious question (we don't have any evidence that the Druids identified any god by this name), the practice of trick-or-treating is what we are focusing on. The practice of making offerings of some sort to Celtic deities is what contemporary children's visitations to homes on Halloween is largely based upon."

(the above information is from: http://www.spiritwatch.org/occhallow.htm)

"(Prove) what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Ephesians 5:10-13


"Can we borrow pagan customs and superstitions of ancient peoples and "Christianize" them?

As believers, we are called to "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. [1 Thesalonians 5:21-22] Who can deny that virtually all of the symbols of Halloween are evil? Witches, monsters, ogres, vampires, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, devils and demons all portray evil. Christians are to "... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." [Ephesians 5:11]

Is Halloween just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone? Is it really just childish fun? Vandalism and wanton disregard for the property of others is common on Halloween night. Even normally well-behaved children are driven by unseen forces to destructive behavior. Police officials everywhere report a great increase in such activities on Halloween. Worse yet are the horrifying accounts of poisoned candy and fruits booby-trapped with razor blades and needles. Such threats are so real that many hospitals offer free X-rays of Halloween treats in order to prevent children from being harmed. Who but Satan could inspire such monstrous actions?

Should the church be compromised by accommodating itself to the culture?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." [Romans 12:2]

"For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?" [2 Corinthians 6:14, 15]

When America and the world celebrates the Festival of Samhain and the powers of darkness by masquerading as evil creatures or decorating our homes, schools, businesses and churches with occult symbols, Satanic power is glorified.

The sort of practices celebrated on Halloween are what defiled the ancient nations [see Leviticus 18:24-30]. The Israelites were warned against such practices when they entered the Promised Land, "When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations." [Deuteronomy 18:9]

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. [Deuteronomy 18:10-14]

As an alternative to the celebration of evil and death, Christians should rather do what Christians are supposed to do every day and that is shine the light of Jesus Christ. We should emphasize the Christian influences and strive to make Hallow's Eve a celebration of the acts of God through his people the saints. We should make it a day when acts of charity instead of vandalism and hatred abound. A day that emphasizes the light of Christ instead of the darkness of evil. A day when people meditate on the acts of Godly people instead of ghosts and goblins.

While you may have participated "all in fun," be assured, Halloween is serious business for Satanists and witches. Those who oppose Christ are known to organize on Halloween to observe satanic rituals, to cast spells, to oppose churches and families, to perform sacrilegious acts, and to even offer blood sacrifices to Satan. While some may say, "But we only do this in fun...we don't practice witchcraft," those things that represent Satan and his domain cannot be handled or emulated "for fun". Such participation places you in enemy and forbidden territory and that is dangerous ground.

Tom Sanguinet, former high priest in the Celtic tradition of Wicca (witchcraft) said "The modern holiday we call Halloween has its origins in the full moon closest to November 1, the witches’ New Year. It was a time when the "spirits" (demons) were supposed to be at their peak power and revisiting the earth planet." He went on to say, "Halloween is purely and absolutely evil, and there is nothing we ever have or will do that would make it acceptable to the Lord Jesus." [The Dark Side Of Halloween]

As evil prevails, Americans have embraced an evil day of Satan, with the pranks of 'would be' hoodlums, combined with 'demon faces' on pumpkins, clothing of 'death' being worn, and calling it fun. When Christians participate in Halloween, it sends a message to children that witchcraft, demonism, Satanism, and the occult are something fun, entertaining and harmless.

Many years ago, C.S. Lewis wrote that one of Satan's most deceptive tactics is to convince people that he doesn't exist. Apparently he has done a good job in his deception. Sadly, many people think of the devil as no more than a symbol of evil: like Santa Claus, he is just a fictional symbol. Many people today also do not think of witches as real people who practice magic, but simply as imaginary figures who represent the supernatural world and everything that is 'spooky.'

Recognizing this pagan holiday gives the false impression that what is actually lethal is innocuous. Some children develop a fascination with the supernatural which leads them later into more sinister occult practices. It's the spiritual equivalent of painting a loaded gun to look like a toy and giving it to child to play with.

It is the kind of celebration that encourages kids like the 16-year-old in Pearl, Mississippi who stabbed his mother to death in her sleep and then opened fire at his high school, killing two students and wounding seven. Authorities found this student along with at least six others involved in a small, avowedly satanic clique that calls itself "Kroth."

How some people can defend this kind of activity as just another innocent holiday that doesn't harm anyone is beyond me.

Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)"

(the above information is from: http://www.christianstories.com/stories/seasonal/halloween/should-christians-adopt-such-practices.shtml)

If Evolution, then moral freedom

"Evolutionary ideas fueled Hitler's Nazism and Stalin's communism," said CSI director Tom DeRosa. "Today, its consequences are evident in our society's lawlessness and immorality. No Creator means no accountability for our actions."

Closing the door on the existence of God liberates man, DeRosa said, to become his own master and lawgiver. Darwin himself acknowledged this. "A man who has no assured and ever-resent belief in the existence of a personal God ... can have for his rule of life, as far as I can see, only to follow those impulses and instincts which are the strongest or which seem to him the best ones."

(from "Impact," April 2008)

If Darwinian Evolution is true, then there is no foundation for ethics, and no ultimate meaning in life.

Teachers expelled for presenting more than one view

"Iowa State University denied tenure to astronomy professor Guillermo Gonzalez last year, despite having scientific and academic credentials that surpassed many of his colleagues. The reason, based on statements made by Gonzalez' fellow faculty members, is his support for the view that Intelligent Design best explains the remarkable way in which physical laws are "fine-tuned" to support complex life."

"In 2005, biology professor Caroline Crocker was let go from George Mason University where, in her classes, she "decided to put all references to evolution into one one lecture and ... give the evidence for and against evolution," Crocker said in a Coral Ridge Hour interview. When the class was finished, Crocker made this final remark about origins: "Is it evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creation? think about it.

Unfortunately, Crocker's actions landed her in her supervisor's office. She was banned from lecturing and filed a grievance to protest the decision. At the end of the semester, GMU allowed her contract to expire.

"Censoring professors and students who air alternative views to evolution goes against the idea that a good education consists of providing arguments from all sides," said Brian Fisher, President of Coral Ridge Ministries."

"Evolutionists today have absolutely a fit at the very thought of both sides of the origins debate being presented in school. They want evolution alone taught — and dogmatically at that. They think it is terrible that anyone would suggest such a thing as presenting both sides.

However, one writer said, "A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts and arguments on both sides of each question..." To present both sides of this argument is the only way, he said, to come to a "fair result."

Obviously, one would think it was some sort of fanatical Christian who made that statement. No. As a matter of fact, it is found in Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species. But that has been conveniently forgotten in our time.

(from "Impact," April 2008)

The Election of God

The Bible teaches Election. God elects some, and not others, to eternal life, without regard to any worthiness (such as spiritual desire, religious merit, or foreseen faith) in those whom He elects. In doing this, God acts in accordance with his highest purpose, which is, as Paul states repeatedly in Ephesians, the revelation of his own glory.

[Consider this loose attempt to try to explain Election: What if God looked into the future and saw that NObody would accept Jesus on their own? In other words, if it was left purely and solely to man's free will, Heaven would be empty of any humans, because everyone chose to go their own way and reject Jesus. If God allowed everyone to go to Hell, that would certainly be just, because every person has sinned against and offended a holy God, so every person fully deserves Hell. However, if everyone went to Hell, God would be seen as a monster, which would not be glorifying to Him, and He would not be showing love, grace or mercy to anyone. On the other hand, if He forced everyone to accept Jesus, He would be seen as a dictator, which again would not be glorifying to Him, and no one would be punished for their sins, so that would not be a just act. Therefore, He caused a minority (a remnant) to accept Jesus, and made that to be their destiny, so that He could show both love AND justice; both mercy AND punishment: so that sin would be punished, but that some would be saved. Because in their sinful state, no one would choose to or want to accept Christ. Therefore, God caused some to necessarily accept Christ. He causes and orchestrates circumstances to occur that will bring them to a crisis of belief, and then He moves to cause their will to choose Christ. He moves their will for them, because they never would have willed it themselves. He causes them and directs them to choose Christ, directing their will to make the right decision. What they could not and would not do for themselves, He does for them, for their good. He does not do this against their will, but rather causes them to desire Christ, and works in their life to bring them to this point, and then ensures that they will indeed accept Christ.]


ELECTION:

Of Christ as Messiah

Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Of good angels

1 Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

Of Israel

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

Of ministers

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Of churches

1 Peter 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

ELECTION IS:

Of God

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

By Christ

John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

In Christ

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Personal

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
2 John 1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

According to the purpose of God

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

According to the foreknowledge of God

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Eternal

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Sovereign

Romans 9:15-16 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Irrespective of merit

Romans 9:11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Of grace

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Recorded in heaven

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

For the glory of God

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Through faith

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Through sanctification of the Spirit

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

To adoption

Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

To salvation

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

To conformity with Christ

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

To good works

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

To spiritual warfare

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

To eternal glory

Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

IT ENSURES TO SAINTS:

Effectual calling

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Divine teaching

John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Belief in Christ

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acceptance with God

Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

Protection

Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Vindication of their wrongs

Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Working of all things for good

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Blessedness

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

The inheritance

Isaiah 65:9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
1 Peter 1:4-5 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

It should lead to cultivation of graces

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

It should be evidenced by diligence

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Saints may have assurance of

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Examples where it is Exemplified

Isaac,
Genesis 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Abram,
Nehemiah 9:7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Zerubbabel,
Haggai 2:23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

Apostles,
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Jacob,
Romans 9:12-13 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Rufus,
Romans 16:13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Paul,
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

(Some of the above information is from:
http://www.bible-topics.com/Election.html)

Imagine if men only had sex with their wives

No children born out of wedlock.

AIDS would disappear in one generation.

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and other STDs would also disappear in one generation.

All children would know who their parents were.

Prostitutes and pimps would go out of business.

So why is it that this obvious cure for AIDS and other STDs would be met by so much opposition?

Because people love their sin.

Persecution

Three Algerian Christians Face 3 Years in Prison for “Blasphemy”

October 23, 2008 Algeria (International Christian Concern)-On October 21, 2008, an Algerian court held a hearing on the case of three Christians who face three years of prison and a fine of 500 euros. The Court held the hearing in Ain Turk, a town 267 miles away from Algiers, the capital of Algeria.

The three Christians are Youssef Ourahmane, Rachid Seghir and Hamid Ramdani. The public prosecutor accused them of “insulting Islam, its prophet and threatening the former professing Christian that complained against them."

Earlier, a lower court agreed with the prosecutor and handed down a 3 year prison sentence and 500 euro fine. The defendants were not present at the time of the decision. The defendants then appealed the decision of the lower court on July 15, 2008. The appeal court postponed the hearing until October 21, 2008.

The case against the three Christians was brought by the public prosecutor with the help of Mr. Shamouma Al-Aid. Mr. Al-Aid “converted” from Islam to Christianity for a period time during which he also attended a Bible school. According to Compass Direct News, Mr. Al-Aid continued to maintain relations with radical Muslims while attending churches and the Bible school.

Later he “reconverted” to Islam and alleged that the three Christians were blaspheming Islam and its prophet Mohammed. He also alleged that the Christians were threatening him for “reconverting” to Islam.

The Judge, after hearing the arguments of the parties, scheduled to decide the case on October 29, 2008.

ICC’s Regional Manger for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, “As a member of the international community, the Algerian government has the obligation to respect the freedom of religion for its Christian minorities. It is time for Algerian officials to carry out their obligations by ceasing to interfere with freedom of worship of the country’s Christian minorities.”

ICC calls upon Christians to pray for their Algerian brothers and sisters who are going through persecution. Please pray that the three Christians in this case will be cleared of the false accusation made against them. Please contact ICC for more information on how to help Christians in Algeria.
from: http://www.persecution.org/suffering/index.php

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"I Miss Daddy So Much!"

In Turkey, 6-year-old Esther's father was martyred by Muslim extremists.

By Jerry Dykstra

One Sunday night in October 2007 on the way home from church services, a sad little voice spoke from the back seat of a car: "Mommy, I miss my daddy so much. Can't Jesus bring him back to us?"

The mother sighed, turning from the front seat to explain gently once more to her 6-year-old daughter, "Jesus decided to take Daddy to heaven to be with him, Esther. We'll have to wait until Jesus takes us to heaven to see Daddy again."

After a few seconds of thought, Esther declared, "Well, if Daddy isn't coming back, then I want to go to heaven too!"

According to Compass Direct News, that touching exchange happened five months after Esther Aydin's father was beaten, tortured, and killed with a knife in Turkey's eastern city of Malatya by five young Muslims who claimed they had done it "for our religion."

Esther and her brother Elisha, 7, are still struggling with the loss of their father, Necati Aydin, who shared his martyrdom on April 18, 2007, with another Turkish Christian, Ugur Yuksel, and German Christian Tilmann Geske. All three were bound, tortured, and their throats were cut.

Semse Aydin, who spoke last fall at a memorial service near Istanbul, says the shock of the cruel and sudden death still hits her every morning.

Turkish Protestants have reported increasing attacks and threats despite claims by President Abdullah Gul that Christians in Turkey are not targeted. Turkey is 99.6 percent Muslim and 0.3 percent Christian. Though the Turkish constitution includes freedom of religion, in reality the Christian minority often faces harassment, threats, and prison. The construction of new churches is often restricted.

Despite the personal cost of her pain, Aydin stands by her statement to the Turkish media two days after her husband's death, declaring that she has forgiven the five charged with the murders. In fact, she is actively praying for at least one of them to repent and come to faith in Christ. "That's the ultimate revenge, isn't it?" Aydin asked.

Persecution Report is presented in cooperation with Open Doors USA, which serves the Persecuted Church through training, Bible distribution, and community development. For more information, call 1-888-5-BIBLE-5 or visit www.odusa.org.
from: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2008/002/14.16.html

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Today's Christian, January/February 2008

Iran: Telling Their Father's Story

Two brothers make a documentary about their martyred father's death and the persecution of Christians in Iran.

By Jerry Dykstra

Joseph Hovsepian will never forget that day in early 1994 when he was called into a local morgue to identify his his father's body. Bishop Haik Hovsepian, an evangelical Christian leader in Iran, had been stabbed 26 times in the chest, his death an apparent martyrdom for standing up to Iranian officials for their mistreatment of Christ followers. No arrests were ever made.

One month before Bishop Hovse-pian's murder, an Islamic judge in northern Iran had condemned Mehdi Dibaj to death for "apostasy"—for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity. The bishop launched an international campaign for the sentence to be overturned, and then disappeared on January 19, 1994. Twelve days later, his son Joseph got the call from the morgue.

The experience eventually led Joseph, who was then a budding filmmaker, into telling his father's story. Joseph and his brother Andre went on to make A Cry from Iran, a compelling 55-minute documentary about their father and the persecution of Christians in Iran.

"This is the story not only of my father's martyrdom, but also of the victims who have been killed and continue to be tortured for being Christians," says co-director and producer Joseph Hovsepian. "The chronicling of this life and death puts a focus on the many stories of persecution that are happening as we speak."

Joseph and Andre have put their hearts and souls into the project, which included filming in five countries, interviews with 40 political and religion experts, family, and friends, 42 months of production, and 200 hours of footage.

Andre Hovsepian, who was 10 when his father was killed, says, "It was as if I lived with my father for the entire year it took to edit the movie. I had feelings of joy and sorrow. It was a good reminder of how Christians suffer for their faith."

Iran is ranked No. 3 on Open Doors' World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most severe persecution. Also, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom lists Iran as one of the nations on the "Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs)" for its religious violations.

A Cry from Iran has won awards at several film festivals. The DVD is available for purchase at www.acryfromiran.com or www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

Persecution Report is presented in cooperation with Open Doors USA, which serves the Persecuted Church through training, Bible distribution, and community development. For more information, call 1-888-5-BIBLE-5 or visit www.odusa.org.

Abortion doctor: How he deals with the stress

Admits to using human fetus for fishing bait


Uses human fetus to play prank with


Admits to making a mobile out of human fetuses

JESUS: GOD THE SON

Verses wrongly used to teach that Christ was created:

1. Colossians 1:15 – If Christ is “the firstborn of all creation,” was He created?

Answer: “Firstborn” cannot mean that Christ was created, because Paul says that all of creation was made in and for Christ, and that He exists before all creation and holds it together (Colossians 1:16,17). The “Firstborn” traditionally was the main heir. In context, Paul is saying that Christ, as God’s Son, is the main heir of all creation (Colossians 1:12-14).

2. John 3:16 – Does “only begotten Son” mean Jesus had a beginning?

Answer: ‘Only–begotten” does not mean that Jesus had a beginning; it means that Jesus is God’s “unique” Son. In Hebrews 11:17, Isaac is called Abraham’s “unique” son, even though Abraham had other children (Genesis 22:2; Genesis 25:1-6). Jesus is God’s unique Son because only Jesus is fully God and eternally the Father’s Son (John 1:1-3; John 1:14-18).

3. Proverbs 8:22 – Does this mean that Christ (“Wisdom”) was “created”?

Answer: This is not a literal description of Christ; it is a personification of wisdom. For example, Christ did not dwell in heaven with someone named Prudence (Proverbs 8:12); He did not build a house with seven pillars (Proverbs 9:1). This verse says in a poetic way that God used wisdom in creating the world (Proverbs 3:19-20).

Verses wrongly used to teach that Jesus is inferior to the Father:

1. John 14:28 – If “the Father is greater than” Jesus, how can Jesus be God?

Answer: In His human life on earth, Jesus voluntarily shared our natural limitations in order to save us. After He rose from the dead, Jesus returned to the glory He had with the Father (John 17:5; Philippians 2:9-11). In that restored glory, Jesus was able to send the Holy Spirit and empower His disciples to do even greater works than Jesus did while He was here in the flesh (John 14:12; John 14:26-28).

2. 1 Corinthians 15:28 – If Jesus is God, why will He be subject to the Father?
Answer: Jesus humbly and voluntarily submits Himself to the Father’s will for a time (Philippians 2:5-11). But, as the pre-existent and eternal Son, He is co-equal with God the Father.

3. Mark 13:32 – If Jesus is God, how could He not know when He would return?

Answer: Jesus voluntarily lowered Himself to experience the limitations of human life. Paradoxically, Jesus was still God and knew everything (John 16:30). Paradoxes like this (not contradictions) are exactly what we would expect if, as the Bible says, God chose to live as a real human being (John 1:1; John 1:14).


from “The Trinity,” Rose Publishing, Inc.

Over 300 Prophecies

There are over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. These prophecies were made hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years before Jesus Christ was born. I was going to include all of them in a bulleted list, but then I thought, “Whose going to read over 300 bulleted items?” So instead, I’m just going to include some of the main prophecies, in paragraph form, in an attempted logical order, to make it easier to read. If you touch your mouse cursor over the verse reference, it will show you the entire verse.

The Old Testament says that the Messiah would descend from Shem (Genesis 9,10), Abraham (Gen. 22:18), Isaac (Gen. 26:2-4), Jacob (Gen. 28:14), Judah (Gen. 49:10), Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-5), and King David (Sam. 7:11-16). He would be heir to the throne of David (King of the Jews, King of Kings and Lord of Lords) (Isaiah 9:6-7). He would be born of the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15). Nothing is said about the seed of a man. All nations would be blessed by Abraham’s seed (Gen. 12:3). He would be preceded by a messenger to prepare His way (Malachi 3:1), fulfilled in Matthew 11:7-11. His messenger would come before Him in the spirit of Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6), fulfilled in Luke 1:17. This messenger would cry, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord,” (Isaiah 40:3), fulfilled in Matthew 3:3. The Messiah would be a prophet of the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18:15), fulfilled in Matthew 2:15.

The Messiah would be born in the city of Bethlehem in the county of Ephrathah (Micah 5:2) when a bright star appears (Numbers 24:17). It will be a miraculous, virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14). He would be presented with gifts (Psalm 72:10). There would be a slaughter of the children (Jeremiah 31:15), fulfilled in Matthew 2:18. The Messiah would be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), fulfilled in Matthew 2:15. He would be a Nazarene (Judges 13:5; Amos 2:11; Lamentations 4:7), fulfilled in Matthew 2:23.

The Messiah would be unique, having pre-existed His birth (Micah 5:2). He would be declared to be the Son of God (Psalm 2:7), fulfilled in Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 17:5. He would preach to the poor, the brokenhearted and the captives (Isaiah 61:1), fulfilled in Matthew 11:5. He would perform many miracles, such as calming the sea (Psalm 107:29) and causing the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the mute to talk (Isaiah 35:4-6 and Isaiah 29:18). He would come to bring a sword, not peace (Micah 7:6), fulfilled in Matthew 10:34-35. He would be rejected by His own (Isaiah 53:3). He would be a stone of stumbling to Israel (Isaiah 8:14-15), fulfilled in I Peter 2:8.

The Messiah would come to save mankind (Isaiah 53). He would become man's sin offering (Isaiah 53) and present Himself to Jerusalem as both the anointed King (Zechariah 9:9) and the Passover Lamb (Isaiah 53). This would occur exactly 173,880 days after the decree by Artaxerxes to rebuild both Jerusalem and the Temple (Daniel 9:20-27). So, 4 days before Passover, the Messiah would present Himself to a rejoicing Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). But then He would suffer greatly (Isaiah 53), and would be rejected by many, including His friends (Isaiah 53). He would be hated without a cause (Psalm 35:19). He would be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9) for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13). Those 30 pieces of silver would later be thrown on the floor of the temple (Zechariah 11:12-13) and would eventually go to a potter (Zechariah 11:12-13). He would be forsaken by His disciples (Zechariah 13:7). At His trial, He would be silent to accusations (Isaiah 53:7) except as required by law (when the High Priest put Him under oath, He was required by law to answer, so He finally admitted to being the Christ, Mark 14:60-64). Israel would reject Him (Isaiah 8:14). He would be accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11). He would be spit upon, smitten and scourged (Isaiah 50:6 and Isaiah 53:5). He would be smitten on the cheek (Micah 5:1).

The Messiah would be taken to a hilltop identified by Abraham as "the Lord will provide"---God would provide Himself a Lamb as an offering (Genesis 22:8). He would be the Sacrificial Lamb (Isaiah 53:5). He would be given for a Covenant (Isaiah 42:6 and Jeremiah 31:31-34). He would be crucified with His hands and His feet pierced (Psalm 22). He would not strive or cry (Isaiah 42:2-3), fulfilled in Mark 7:36. His enemies would encircle Him (Psalm 22), and would cast lots for His clothing (Psalm 22:18). He would call to God (His Father), asking why He was forsaken (Psalm 22). He would be given gall and wine (Psalm 69:20-22). He would die with thieves (Isaiah 53). But unlike the thieves, none of His bones would be broken (Psalm 22). His heart would fail (Psalm 22), as indicated by blood and water spilling out (Psalm 22) when He was pierced with a spear (Zechariah 12:10). Research has indicated that His heart burst. He would be buried in a rich man's grave (Isaiah 53). In 3 days, He would rise from the dead (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22).

He would be referred to in many ways including 'Immanuel, God with us' (Isaiah 7:14), wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). One day He will rule over everything---all nations will bow down to Him (Isaiah 45:23, Psalm 22).

The odds against any one person’s fulfilling all the above prophecies are astronomical. It has been estimated that the odds against it are one in 10 to the 17th power (ten followed by 17 zeros). Considering the fact that Jesus Christ literally fulfilled all of these prophecies, it is an impossibility that He is not Messiah, Savior of the world. The ONLY person---past, present or future---who could fulfill all these prophecies is Jesus Christ.

Muslims elected by God for salvation

Muslims coming to Christ in the thousands




TURKS leave islam for the Truth of Christ




Muslim leaves Islam

Messianic Jews

Messianic Rabbi shares how he accepted Yeshua as Messiah

After a dramatic vision, a Jewish man studied the Bible as great literature, then finally accepted that Yeshua (Jesus) really is the Messiah of Israel. He then realized that his Jewish identity is still very important to God.
Glenn Blank is now a professor of Computer Science as well as the Messianic Rabbi of Beit Simcha (www.beitsimcha.org) in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The clip is from a TV show, The Living Truth, hosted by Pastor Larry Burd, on WBPH 60 in Bethlehem, PA.




Messianic Jews worshipping Yeshua (Jesus)

An interesting secular news story on Channel 2 news in Israel on the growing Messianic Jewish movement sweeping across Israel. This is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The news report was on February 23, 2007.



Arab leads Jews in worship

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Homosexuality

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

CAUTION: This article contains some very graphic and bluntly sexual language, and may be disturbing to some!

Two men or two women getting married is an abomination to God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."

Until 1961 homosexual acts were illegal throughout America.

ORAL SEX

Homosexuals fellate almost all of their sexual contacts (and ingest semen from about half of these). Semen contains many of the germs carried in the blood. Because of this, gays who practice oral sex verge on consuming raw human blood, with all its medical risks. Since the penis often has tiny lesions (and often will have been in unsanitary places such as a rectum), individuals so involved may become infected with hepatitis A or gonorrhea (and even HIV and hepatitis B). Since many contacts occur between strangers (70% of gays estimated that they had had sex only once with over half of their partners), and gays average somewhere between 106 and 1105 different partners/year, the potential for infection is considerable.

RECTAL SEX

Surveys indicate that about 90% of gays have engaged in rectal intercourse, and about two-thirds do it regularly. In a 6-month long study of daily sexual diaries, gays averaged 110 sex partners and 68 rectal encounters a year.

Rectal sex is dangerous. During rectal intercourse the rectum becomes a mixing bowl for 1) saliva and its germs and/or an artificial lubricant, 2) the recipient's own feces, 3) whatever germs, infections or substances the penis has on it, and 4) the seminal fluid of the inserter. Since sperm readily penetrate the rectal wall (which is only one cell thick) causing immunologic damage, and tearing or bruising of the anal wall is very common during anal/penile sex, these substances gain almost direct access to the blood stream. Unlike heterosexual intercourse (in which sperm cannot penetrate the multilayered vagina and no feces are present), rectal intercourse is probably the most sexually efficient way to spread hepatitis B, HIV syphilis and a host of other blood-borne diseases.

Tearing or ripping of the anal wall is especially likely with "fisting," where the hand and arm is inserted into the rectum. It is also common when "toys" are employed (homosexual lingo for objects which are inserted into the rectum--bottles, carrots, even gerbils). The risk of contamination and/or having to wear a colostomy bag from such "sport" is very real. Fisting was apparently so rare in Kinsey's time that he didn't think to talk about it. By 1977, well over a third of gays admitted to doing it. The rectum was not designed to accommodate the fist, and those who do so can find themselves consigned to diapers for life.

About 80% of gays admit to licking and/or inserting their tongues into the anus of partners and thus ingesting medically significant amounts of feces. Those who eat or wallow in it are probably at even greater risk. In the diary study, 70% of the gays had engaged in this activity--half regularly over 6 months. Result? --The "annual incidence of hepatitis A in...homosexual men was 22 percent, whereas no heterosexual men acquired hepatitis A." In 1992, it was noted that the proportion of London gays engaging in oral/anal sex had not declined since 1984.

While the body has defenses against fecal germs, exposure to the fecal discharge of dozens of strangers each year is extremely unhealthy. Ingestion of human waste is the major route of contracting hepatitis A and the enteric parasites collectively known as the Gay Bowel Syndrome. Consumption of feces has also been implicated in the transmission of typhoid fever, herpes, and cancer. About 10% of gays have eaten or played with [e.g., enemas, wallowing in feces]. The San Francisco Department of Public Health saw 75,000 patients per year, of whom 70 to 80 per cent are homosexual men...An average of 10 per cent of all patients and asymptomatic contacts reported...because of positive fecal samples or cultures for amoeba, giardia, and shigella infections were employed as food handlers in public establishments; almost 5 per cent of those with hepatitis A were similarly employed." In 1976, a rare airborne scarlet fever broke out among gays and just missed sweeping through San Francisco. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported that 29% of the hepatitis A cases in Denver, 66% in New York, 50% in San Francisco, 56% in Toronto, 42% in Montreal and 26% in Melbourne in the first six months of 1991 were among gays. A 1982 study "suggested that some transmission from the homosexual group to the general population might have occurred."

URINE SEX

About 10% of Kinsey's gays reported having engaged in "golden showers" [drinking or being splashed with urine]. In the largest survey of gays ever conducted, 23% admitted to urine-sex. In the largest random survey of gays, 29% reported urine-sex. In a San Francisco study of 655 gays, only 24% claimed to have been monogamous in the past year. Of these monogamous gays, 5% drank urine, 7% practiced "fisting," 33% ingested feces via anal/oral contact, 53% swallowed semen, and 59% received semen in their rectum during the previous month.

OTHER GAY SEX PRACTICES

SADOMASOCHISM

A large minority of gays engages in torture for sexual fun.

Sex with minors

25% of white gays admitted to sex with boys 16 or younger as adults. In a 9-state study, 33% of the 181 male, and 22% of the 18 female teachers caught molesting students did so homosexually (though less than 3% of men and 2% of women engage in homosexuality).

Depending on the study, the percent of gays reporting sex in public restrooms ranged from 14% to 41% to 66%, 9%, 60% and 67% reported sex in gay baths; 64% and 90% said that they used illegal drugs.

Fear of AIDS may have reduced the volume of gay sex partners, but the numbers are prodigious by any standard. Morin reported that 824 gays had lowered their sex-rate from 70 different partners/yr. in 1982 to 50/yr. by 1984. McKusick reported declines from 76/yr. to 47/yr. in 1985. In Spain the average was 42/yr. in 1989.

Medical Consequences of Homosexual Sex

Death and disease accompany promiscuous and unsanitary sexual activity. 70% to 78% of gays reported having had a sexually transmitted disease. The proportion with intestinal parasites (worms, flukes, amoeba) ranged from 25% to 39% to 59%. As of 1992, 83% of U.S. AIDS in whites had occurred in gays. The Seattle sexual diary study reported that gays had, on a yearly average:

1. fellated 108 men and swallowed semen from 48;
2. exchanged saliva with 96;
3. experienced 68 penile penetrations of the anus; and
4. ingested fecal material from 19.

No wonder 10% came down with hepatitis B and 7% contracted hepatitis A during the 6-month study.

Effects on the Lifespan

Smokers and drug addicts don't live as long as non-smokers or non-addicts, so we consider smoking and narcotics abuse harmful. The typical life span of homosexuals suggests that their activities are more destructive than smoking and as dangerous as drugs.

Obituaries numbering 6,516 from 16 U.S. homosexual journals over the past 12 years were compared to a large sample of obituaries from regular newspapers. The obituaries from the regular newspapers were similar to U.S. averages for longevity; the medium age of death of married men was 75, and 80% of them died old (age 65 or older). For unmarried or divorced men the median age of death was 57, and 32% of them died old. Married women averaged age 79 at death; 85% died old. Unmarried and divorced women averaged age 71, and 60% of them died old.

The median age of death for homosexuals, however, was virtually the same nationwide--and, overall, less than 2% survived to old age. If AIDS was the cause of death, the median age was 39. For the 829 gays who died of something other than AIDS, the median age of death was 42, and 9% died old. The 163 lesbians had a median age of death of 44, and 20% died old.

Two and eight-tenths percent (2.8%) of gays died violently. They were 116 times more apt to be murdered; 24 times more apt to commit suicide; and had a traffic-accident death rate 18 times the rate of comparably aged white males. Heart attacks, cancer and liver failure were exceptionally common. Twenty percent of lesbians died of murder, suicide, or accident--a rate 487 times higher than that of white females aged 25-44. The age distribution of samples of homosexuals in the scientific literature from 1989 to 1992 suggests a similarly shortened life span.

The Gay Legacy

Homosexuals rode into the dawn of sexual freedom and returned with a plague that gives every indication of destroying most of them. Those who treat AIDS patients are at great risk, not only from HIV infection, which as of 1992 involved over 100 health care workers, but also from TB and new strains of other diseases. Those who are housed with AIDS patients are also at risk. Dr. Max Essex, chair of the Harvard AIDS Institute, warned congress in 1992 that "AIDS has already led to other kinds of dangerous epidemics...If AIDS is not eliminated, other new lethal microbes will emerge, and neither safe sex nor drug free practices will prevent them." At least 8, and perhaps as many as 30 patients had been infected with HIV by health care workers as of 1992.

The Biological Swap Meet

The typical sexual practices of homosexuals are a medical horror story --imagine exchanging saliva, feces, semen and/or blood with dozens of different men each year. Imagine drinking urine, ingesting feces and experiencing rectal trauma on a regular basis. Often these encounters occur while the participants are drunk, high, and/or in an orgy setting. Further, many of them occur in extremely unsanitary places (bathrooms, dirty peep shows), or, because homosexuals travel so frequently, in other parts of the world.

Every year, a quarter or more of homosexuals visit another country. Fresh American germs get taken to Europe, Africa and Asia. And fresh pathogens from these continents come here. Foreign homosexuals regularly visit the U.S. and participate in this biological swap meet.

The Pattern of Infection

Unfortunately, the danger of these exchanges does not merely affect homosexuals. Travelers carried so many tropical diseases to New York City that it had to institute a tropical disease center, and gays carried HIV from New York City to the rest of the world. Most of the 6,349 Americans who got AIDS from contaminated blood as of 1992, received it from homosexuals and most of the women in California who got AIDS through heterosexual activity got it from men who engaged in homosexual behavior. The rare form of airborne scarlet fever that stalked San Francisco in 1976 also started among homosexuals.

Genuine Compassion

Society is legitimately concerned with health risks---they impact our taxes and everyone's chances of illness and injury. Because we care about them, smokers are discouraged from smoking by higher insurance premiums, taxes on cigarettes and bans against smoking in public. These social pressures cause many to quit. They likewise encourage non-smokers to stay non-smokers. Homosexuals are sexually troubled people engaging in dangerous activities. If we care about them and those tempted to join them, it is important that we neither encourage nor legitimize such a destructive lifestyle.

Those are some of the physical consequences of homosexuality.

Let me go back to the spiritual consequences now, and point out that homosexual lust or sex is not the only sin. Adultery, fornication, cursing, blasphemy (using God's Name in vain), lying, stealing, drunkenness, hatred, heterosexual lust, gossip, coveting, etc. are also sins. And any one of those sins can send a person to Hell just as quickly as gay/lesbian sex or lust. Also, Jesus can forgive a person of gay/lesbian sex/lust just as He can forgive a person of any other sin, IF that person REPENTS and turns away from that sin, and turns to Jesus for forgiveness. The problem with many homosexuals is that they refuse to acknowledge that what they are doing is sin, and society is backing them up in that, which is only to their own damnation and condemnation.

On the other hand, there are former homosexuals that have been forgiven of their sins by Jesus, and have been transformed, and are now heterosexuals. In addition, there are also Christians who are still struggling with homosexual temptations and lusts (all Christians struggle with temptation, and different people have different weaknesses). And, of course, there are those who claim to be Christian, and claim that God has no problem with homosexuality, which is a direct contradiction with Scripture, and an offense to God.

(Some of the above information is from:
http://www.familyresearchinst.org/FRI_EduPamphlet3.html)

The Case for Christ

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Some interesting blog sites

Please check out these interesting blog sites:

Straight Truth

James Tippins

Christian Theology

Theology Spot

Law and Theology

Apologetics.com

Casting Crowns: Slow Fade

My Dog Has Been Everywhere

My dog travels more than I do! He LOVES to travel!

MY DOG ON THE MOON


MY DOG ON THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA


MY DOG IN THE SAHARA DESERT


MY DOG IN INDIA


MY DOG IN AFRICA


(This is just some silly stuff I did in Photoshop. Because I was just being silly, I didn't take the time to try to make it look extremely realistic. And, as you can see, I used the same dog photo in every picture!)

Moses and Jesus

“On that same day the LORD [Yahweh] told Moses, "Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel."
(Deuteronomy 32:48-52)

Moses, as lawgiver, represents the Torah. The biblical law or commandments are sometimes collectively referred to as “the law of Moses.” Moses was a “type” of the Law. Yet, Moses did not make it to the Promised Land. If even Moses (who was the mediator between God and the Israelites), because of one sin he committed, was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, how much less can the average person expect to enter the eternal Promised Land by their own works?

Earlier in his life, Joshua was called, simply, ‘Hoshea’ (Numbers 13:8,16), meaning “salvation.” But later, Moses changed his name to ‘Joshua,’ meaning “The Lord saves” (or, “the Lord gives victory”). This same name (the Greek form of which is Jesus) was given to Mary’s firstborn son (Matthew 1:21).

The Law cannot save us. Joshua (Hebrew: Hoshea, Yeshua or Jeshua; Greek: Jesus) took over and replaced Moses (who symbolizes the Law) to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Just as Moses is an Old Testament type for the Law, so Joshua is an Old Testament type for Jesus (Yeshua). Jesus alone can lead us into the Promised Land.

Only complete trust in the shed blood of Christ can save a person from God’s wrath and bring them into Heaven, the eternal Promised Land.

Give Up Yer Aul Sins - Oscar Nominated Short Film

This series, including the original Oscar-nominated short from Brown Bag Films, is based upon the 1960s recordings of young children telling Bible stories in a classroom to their schoolteacher. When a film crew arrives at an inner city Dublin National School to record the children, the result is a warm, funny and spontaneous animated documentary, featuring young children telling the story of John the Baptist, The birth of Jesus, the Crucifixion, Saint Patrick and others. "Give Up Yer Aul Sins" combines simple humour with clever animation to create films with a timeless quality which appeal to a family audience. "Give Up Yer Aul Sins" has screened in almost 50 film festivals, including The Galway Film Fleadh (where it won Best Animation), Cork Film Festival (Best Irish and Best International Animation), Cartoons on Bay (Special Award for Original Idea), New York Comedy Festival, Boston Irish Film Festival, Aspen Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ANGEL


THE BIRTH OF JESUS


JOHN THE BAPTIST


LAZARUS


HEALING THE BLIND


THE DEATH OF JESUS

Isaac Air Freight

I used to love the old Christian comedy team, "Isaac Airfreight (formed in 1976)."

777 PEARLY GATES


JERUSALEM DRAGNET


LUCIFER SON SHIELD


LET'S TRADE YOUR SALVATION


RELIGIOUS STORE


BIBLE JUNKIE


DEMONS DILEMMA

Study: Homosexual lifestyle strongly linked to depression, suicide

LONDON - A new study in the United Kingdom has revealed that homosexuals are about 50% more likely to suffer from depression and engage in substance abuse than the rest of the population, reports Health24.com.

After analyzing 25 earlier studies on sexual orientation and mental health, researchers, in a study published in the medical journal BMC Psychiatry, also found that the risk of suicide jumped over 200% if an individual had engaged in a homosexual lifestyle.

These findings strongly support the results of similar studies conducted in the United States, which have unveiled the severe physical and psychological health risks associated with homosexual behavior. Drs. Paul and Kirk Cameron of the Family Research Institute revealed in 2007 that research shows that the lifespan of a homosexual is on average 24 years shorter than that of a heterosexual. As a health threat, even smoking pales in comparison, as studies show smoking can shorten one's life by only 1 to 7 years on average.

While the Health 24 article suggested that homosexuals may be pushed to substance abuse and suicide because of anti-homosexual cultural and family pressures, empirical tests have shown that there is no difference in homosexual health risk depending on the level of tolerance in a particular environment. Homosexuals in the United States and Denmark - the latter of which is acknowledged to be highly tolerant of homosexuality - both die on average in their early 50's, or in their 40's if AIDS is the cause of death. The average age for all residents in either country ranges from the mid-to-upper-70s.

Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons, a psychiatrist and member of the Catholic Medical Association, says there is evidence that homosexuality is itself a manifestation of a psychological disorder accompanied by a host of mental health problems, including "major depression, suicidal ideation and attempts, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, conduct disorder, low self-esteem in males and sexual promiscuity with an inability to maintain committed relationships."

Fitzgibbons said the American Psychological Association, which is known for its support of homosexual "marriage," ignored the evidence he presented that homosexuality presents significant danger to psychological health.


from:
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=255614

The Gospel: witnessing on the street

British man witnessing to Thai man in the U.K.

Witnessing to teens

"There are three words translated "Hell" in Scripture:

Gehenna (Greek): The place of punishment (Matthew 5:22,29; 10:28)
Hades (Greek): The abode of the dead (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 16:23)
Sheol (Hebrew): The grave (Psalm 9:17; 16:10)

There are those who accept that Hell is a place of punishment, but believe that the punishment is to be annihilated---to cease conscious existence. They can't conceive that the punishment of the wicked will be conscious and eternal. If they are correct, then a man like Adolph Hitler, who was responsible for the deaths of millions, is being "punished" merely with eternal sleep. His fate is simply to return to the non-existent state he was in before he was born, where he doesn't even know that he is being punished.

However, Scripture paints a different story. The rich man who found himself in Hell (Luke 16:19-31) was conscious. He was able to feel pain, to thirst, and to experience remorse. He wasn't asleep in the grave; he was in a place of "torment." If Hell is a place of knowing nothing or a reference to the grave into which we go at death, Jesus' statements about Hell make no sense.

He said that if your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin, it would be better to remove it than to "go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark 9:43-48).

The Bible refers to the fate of the unsaved with such fearful words as the following:

- "Shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2)
- "Everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46)
- "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 24:51)
- "Fire unquenchable" (Luke 3:17)
- "Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish" (Romans 2:8,9)
- "Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2 Thessalonians
1:9:
- "Eternal fire...the blackness of darkness forever" (Jude 7,13)
Revelation 14:10,11 tells us the final, eternal destiny of the sinner: "he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone...the smoke of their torment ascended up forever and ever: and they have no rest day or night."

From LivingWaters.com and http://fishthe.net/good-person.htm

Modern Evangelism

Kaitlyn Maher - ADORABLE 4-year-old singer

I saw this little girl on "America's Got Talent," and she was so cute and adorable, I just had to include some videos of her on my blog site. She will melt your heart. Children are a gift from God, and Jesus told us to come to Him in the same manner and attitude as that of a little child---in meekness, trust and faith.

Joseph Smith

Pilgrim's Progress (very cool animated adaptation!)

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4